Student Recruitment and Outreach
Pathways to the Professions
Our innovative Pathways to the Professions programmes have been designed to expand knowledge, develop skills, and give an insight into what university life is really like for those students with ambitions to study Medicine, Healthcare or Engineering and Technology (STEM) for university.
During the eighteen-month programmes, which students will complete alongside studying for their A Levels and level 3 qualifications, successful applicants will be given the opportunity to take part in various enrichment activities to help support their journeys into Higher Education. Activities vary from stream to stream, but can include subject specific taster days, academic tutoring delivered by current Aston University undergraduates, UCAS Application support and a Summer School Residential.
These sustained programmes of activity aim to raise students' aspirations, improve their motivation to progress onto Higher Education and provide them with the knowledge, skills and experiences that will enhance their UCAS applications. During their time on the programme, students will be exposed to a range of leading experts from Aston University and key professionals from within their streams corresponding sector. Students will also get the opportunity to meet current Aston University students and ask them about their Higher Education experiences to help them make informed decisions about their futures.
Please note, Pathway to Business and Pathway to Law will not be running for September 2023 entry
- Who are the Pathways for?
Places on our Pathways to the Professions programmes are open to students entering Year 12 in September, who have the potential to enter Higher Education, and are considering a degree in either Medicine, Healthcare or Engineering and Technology (STEM). Students who are interested in applying must meet the academic and widening participation criteria for their stream as below and the entry requirements for their subject(s) of interest on our website. Please note, places on the programmes are limited. If oversubscribed, places will be offered by random allocation to all eligible applicants until the programme is full.
- How to apply?
Students must have support from their teachers or careers advisers to apply to the Pathways to the Professions programmes, including approval for time off school/college where necessary to attend events. Learners will be expected to attend all compulsory Year 12 events on their stream to successfully progress on to the second year of the programme in Year 13 and be eligible for a Pathway Contextual Offer and the chance to apply for an Alumni Undergraduate Scholarship worth £5,000 if applying to Aston University.
Applications for our next cohort on the Pathways to the Professions programme close at 5pm on Friday 6th October 2023. Any applications made after this time and date will not be considered.
- Apply here
Students must have support from their teachers or careers advisers to apply to the Pathways to the Professions programmes, including approval for time off school/college where necessary to attend events. Learners will be expected to attend all compulsory Year 12 events on their stream to successfully progress on to the second year of the programme in Year 13 and be eligible for a Pathway Contextual Offer and the chance to apply for an Alumni Undergraduate Scholarship worth £5,000 if applying to Aston University.
Applications for our next cohort on the Pathways to the Professions programme close at 5pm on Friday 6th October 2023. Any applications made after this time and date will not be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about Aston's Pathway Programmes.
- Can I apply for more than one pathway programme?
You can apply for more than one Pathway, but please make sure you meet the eligibility criteria for each Pathway you apply to as listed on our website. Please note, you can only take part in one Pathway stream. We would encourage you to research which programme would suit you best as they all offer different experiences and often focus on different subjects and topics. Whichever programme you choose carries the same benefits for you in terms of being eligible for a reduced offer of study if you make a successful application to Aston University.
- Does being on Pathways programme mean I am guaranteed a contextual offer?
Being on a Pathways programme does not guarantee you a contextual offer as you must still meet our admissions and entry criteria to gain a place on one of our degree courses. In addition to this, we may not be able to offer a reduction in entry requirements for students studying BTECs or other A Level equivalents. To find out if you are eligible for a contextual offer, please get in touch with the Undergraduate Admissions Team.
- Does being on Pathways programme mean I am guaranteed an interview if the course I want to study requires one?
Being on a Pathways programme does not guarantee you will be invited for interview at Aston University. This is because you must still meet our admissions and entry criteria to gain a place on one of our degree courses and courses which require interviews are very competitive.
- Do I have to attend all events?
All events on our Pathways programmes are compulsory. These dates will be shared with you well in advance. Students must attend all compulsory events in Year 12 to successfully progress on to Year 13 of the programme and be eligible for a Pathway Contextual Offer if applying to Aston University.
- If I complete one year of a Pathways programme, am I still eligible for a contextual offer?
Students must complete the full eighteen-month programme to be considered for a contextual offer, no matter which Pathway they are on. However, if you are unable to complete the programme, you may still be eligible for an Aston Ready contextual offer. Find out more information about our Aston Ready contextual offer.
- Do I have to apply through my school?
Applications for all of our Pathway programmes are made by the student. However, students will be asked to provide the name and contact details of a member of staff from their school/college to verify their application. Students must also have the support of their school or college to attend any Pathway events that occur during term time. These dates will be shared with you and your teachers well in advance.